risk

¹risk

noun \ˈrisk\

Definition of RISK

1

: possibility of loss or injury : peril

2

: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard

3

a : the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract; also : the degree of probability of such loss

b : a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer

c : an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source <war risk>

4

: the chance that an investment (as a stock or commodity) will lose value

— risk·less \ˈris-kləs\ adjective

— at risk

: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility <patients at risk of infection>

Examples of RISK

1. I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk.
2. The degree of risk is minimal.
3. All investments have an element of risk.
4. The trip didn't seem like much of a risk.
5. I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment.
6. There is a risk of liver damage with this medication.
7. Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident.
8. We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health.
9. To me, skydiving is not worth the risk.
10. Smoking is a risk to your lungs.

Origin of RISK

French risque, from Italian risco

First Known Use: circa 1661

Related to RISK

Synonyms

hazard, imminence, menace, peril, pitfall, danger, threat, trouble

Antonyms

safeness, safety, secureness, security

Related Words

snare, trap; booby trap

Near Antonyms

guard, protection, safeguard, shield, ward; asylum, harbor, haven, refuge, retreat, shelter

Rhymes with RISK

bisque, brisk, disk, fisc, frisk, whisk

²risk

transitive verb

Definition of RISK

1

: to expose to hazard or danger <risked her life>

2

: to incur the risk or danger of <risked breaking his neck>

— risk·er noun

Examples of RISK

1. She risked her life to save her children.
2. He risked all his money on starting his own business.
3. He risked breaking his neck.
4. She's risking being considered too sentimental.
5. The country risked a war.
6. brave people who risked being killed to help others
7. I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map.
8. The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars.
9. It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.

First Known Use of RISK

circa 1687

Related to RISK

Synonyms

adventure, chance, gamble (on), hazard, tempt, venture, run the risk of

Related Words

beard, brave, brazen, breast, challenge, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave; compromise, endanger, imperil, jeopardize, menace; expose, subject; bet (on), wager

Near Antonyms

guard, protect, shelter, shield; preserve, resume, save

risk

noun \ˈrisk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RISK

1

: possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death <hypertension increases the risk of stroke>

2

: a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment <a poor surgical risk>

—at risk

: characterized by high risk or susceptibility (as to disease) <patients at risk of developing infections>

risk

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In economics and finance, an allowance for the hazard (risk) in an investment or loan. Default risk refers to the chance that a borrower will not repay a loan. If a banker believes that a borrower may not repay a loan, the banker will charge the true interest plus a premium for the default risk, the premium depending on the degree of presumed risk. All stock investment carries an implicit risk since there is no guarantee of return on investment. Trading or variability risk is the amount that the return may vary, up or down, from the expected return on investment.